THE INNER BEARING HAS FAILED DUE TO THE SEAL LEAKING , IF YOU CONTINUE TO USE THE MACHINE YOU MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ELEMENT AND DRUM. ITS EITHER THIS OR IF YOUR MACHINE IS OLDER OR USED HEAVILY,THE DRUM SPIDER(SUPPORT BRACKET} HAS FAILED. THIS USUALLY DOESN'T 
MAKE AS MUCH NOISE UNTIL IT SPINS.
                
 KEITH (THE SPIN DOCTOR)
                
 January 2005